Union College (Schenectady, NY)

Union is a small liberal arts college of 2200 students located in a small city near Albany, NY. It does possess a number of distinguishing features that make it worthy of consideration for any student looking at such schools in the Northeast. One is that Union offers a full engineering program, in fact the first in the country at a liberal arts college. Union is also associated with a business school, law school and medical school, so it can offer accelerated dual-degree programs in these areas, which is a nice option. Union is also on a trimester system where students take three classes at a time instead of the usual four, which allows for more flexibility in the curriculum as well as for internship and study abroad opportunities, especially for athletes and engineering students who often have trouble fitting in foreign study. Union also receives high marks for activities on campus. In addition to a sizeable Greek system, each student belongs to a Minerva house, which organizes social opportunities. Student cannot rush fraternities or sororities until their sophomore year, giving them time to adjust and make that decision. About 40% eventually do go Greek. Thesis or senior project is required for graduation, and students have plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research, including the possibility of paid work over the summer. Nearby Albany is the state capital and offers opportunities for internships, while New York City is just a two hour train ride away from a nearby station. The outdoor activities of the Adirondack mountains, including skiing, are not far off either and school-organized trips there are offered frequently. The campus is spectacular and the facilities are extremely impressive. Union is test optional for admissions and is slightly less selective than other liberal arts colleges in the area, perhaps more along the lines of Furman or Rhodes. Union would be a great option for any student interested in small New England liberal arts colleges, especially one looking for engineering or a slightly more conservative campus environment than many similar schools offer. K